The Gratitude Goggles

What does a dog do when you give it food? It wags its tail and says bow bow!
What does a Cat do when you give it milk? It comes and rubs against your legs and says meow.
 
When someone helps you when you are in need, the feeling that gets generated in our heart is called Gratitude. 
 
There is a quote which goes, "If you are grateful, more good things will flow to you. On the other hand, if one complains or grumbles whatever little joy, peace and love one has come into this world with will be lost."
 
Research suggests that if you are more grateful your health and happiness improves.
 
I noticed that my daughter, Aditi kept complaining every now and then. To make her understand how to be grateful, I came up with a story 'Gratitude goggles' which I told her.
 
One day, Priti's mother took her to the village fair.
At the fair, Priti started complaining, "I don't like this place. It's so noisy. I can't see any good toys to buy too." After sometime, Priti saw a pair of glittery green goggles at a tiny stall. She asked the old lady at the stall if she could try them on. On being permitted, Priti wore them and noticed some positive energy in her. The same things which she had seen earlier started looking more beautiful. She said, "I am so happy, I am so excited, this is such a wonderful place. I can see people enjoying and giggling on the giant wheel." Now the same noise seemed music to her ears. Pointing out to a stall she said, "Those clay dolls look so beautiful. I would like to play with them. Thanks mom for bringing me here." Priti was surprised about what was happening to her. The old lady smiled. "Beti, these are magical gratitude goggles. When you wear them, you will see the good things in the same situation. These goggles are not for sale, but let me share a secret. All of us are already gifted with gratitude goggles. But we choose to wear a complaining cap instead and focus on what we don't have. We just need to start using the gratitude goggles by seeing what is good. Every day, think of three good things that happened to you that day. You will be happier, and you will make those around you happy." Priti couldn't believe that the key to happiness was so simple. Every night, before going to sleep, she would think, "What are the three good things that happened today?" and by following this attitude Priti really lived happily ever after.
 
I would like to share how Aditi applied this story in her life. One day while coming back from school, Aditi started grumbling, "Mamma, from 4th to 9th of Oct as we are having exams we will be left early. On 10th of Oct on my birthday, we start with our regular classes and we will be left at 1.40 pm." Normally, I would have given her a sermon, but now I had a brahmastra, a powerful tool with me which I used "Aditi please put your gratitude goggles." is all what I had to say. It worked wonders for me. She said, "OK, I should be happy that exams get over before my birthday. I can enjoy that day and don't need to study. My teachers and classmates will wish and sing for me that day as we will have regular classes. So, it’s good that on 10th we have normal school timings." Aditi has learnt to use her gratitude goggles. I hope all of you are using yours too.